Stockton residents discuss zoning ahead of June 30 referendum
Residents in Stockton's Planning District 3 are preparing for a June 30 referendum to decide on implementing Baldwin County zoning regulations. This initiative stems from growing opposition to large-scale developments, including solar projects and the infrastructure for data centers, which residents believe threaten their rural character. Community groups are also exploring a temporary moratorium on development while awaiting a legal opinion from the state attorney general.
Residents of Stockton's Planning District 3 are set to vote on a historic zoning referendum on June 30. The vote, taking place at the Stockton Civic Club, will determine whether the unincorporated area will be placed under Baldwin County zoning regulations. This push for zoning is a direct response to increasing development pressures, particularly from utility-scale solar projects and the growing demand for data centers and their associated energy infrastructure.
Meagan Fowler, President of Friends of the Tensaw River, highlighted the national AI boom and the fast-tracked construction of data centers as key drivers for development interest in areas like Stockton, which offer existing transmission lines and federal incentives for renewable energy. The community, which collected over 200 signatures to trigger the referendum, seeks to establish protections for its rural character and natural resources through land use regulations.
Beyond the referendum, the Friends of the Tensaw River are pursuing other avenues to slow projects, including a drafted memorandum outlining how Baldwin County could legally enact a temporary moratorium. This effort comes after state legislation to address development failed earlier in the spring. John Murphy, a Stockton resident and board member of the Friends of the Tensaw River, noted that the move to zoning was a last resort after exploring other options, acknowledging resident concerns about regulations but emphasizing the need for community involvement in future growth management.
Similar zoning initiatives are also gaining traction in other North Baldwin communities, such as Rabun and District 1, indicating a broader regional response to unchecked development. The outcome of the June 30 referendum will determine the framework for managing future growth in the Stockton area.